Chess Puzzle #Z6VQA — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2363 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d2; pawns a3/c3/g3/h3. Black: king g5; pawns a6/c4/f6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f6→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ke3 — king d2→e3. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g5→f6).
  3. Best move: Kd4 — king e3→d4. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
  4. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g3→h4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Ke3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p4p2/6kp/2p5/P1P3PP/3K4/8 b - - 2 38

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.